Scented roller to remove loose hairs

ABSTRACT

The scented roller to remove loose hairs from exposed skin surfaces has a solid, elongated handle with a distal end and a proximal end that allows a user to comfortably grasp the scented roller. A connecting fork is located at the proximal end of the handle, and a roller is removably placed in the connecting fork with a roll of adhesive tape disposed on the roller. The roll of adhesive tape has an exposed adhesive outer surface to collect and hold cut hair and debris from an exposed dirty surface. The tape has a scent or fragrance on the scented roller.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/553,343, filed Mar. 16, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a roller, and particularly to a scentedroller that can be used to pick up loose hair from patrons of abarbershop or beauty salon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Disposable rollers that expose a tape adhesive exposed area used topick-up lint, hair and other loose debris are well known. Thesedisposable rollers are very useful in that a section of adhesive tape,once used, can be torn-off and discarded and be immediately replacedwith fresh adhesive tape. Use of these types of disposable rollers isreflected in the related art as well.

United States Patent Publication No. 2002/0144367, published on Oct. 10,2002 and applied for by McKay, Jr., outlines the use of an adhesiveroller having an elongated strip that includes a backing layer and anadhesive layer overlying one side of the backing layer. The strip has afirst end, a second end and two spaced apart sides. The strip is woundfrom its first end to its second end into a tubular cylindrical roll inwhich multiple layers of the strip overlap each other.

United States Patent Publication No. 2003/0039824, published on Feb. 27,2003 and applied for by Aalbers, outlines the use of a contaminantremoval tape assembly, which includes an applicator and a roll ofcontaminant removal tape mounted on the applicator, wherein the roll ofcontaminate removal tape includes a backing having a first side and asecond side opposite the first side, with a layer of adhesive on thefirst side of the backing, and wherein the layer of adhesive is arrangedto have discontinuous contact with a surface to which the roll isapplied.

United States Patent Publication No. 2003/0088928, published on May 15,2003 and applied for by Shizuno et al., outlines the use of an adhesiveroll cleaner having single-sided adhesive sheets helically wound arounda core tube with the adhesive side out, wherein the adhesive sheets eachhave a tear strength of 500 mN or higher as measured with an Elmendorftear tester according to JIS P8116 (ISO 1974).

U.S. Pat. No. 2,702,913, issued to Walkama on Mar. 1, 1955, outlines theuse of a device for removing lint and the like particularly fromclothing, and in particular, a spool of adhesive tape with a shield forcovering the adhesive tape on one side of the spool.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,194, issued to Ramelson on Sep. 26, 1967, outlinesthe use of a lint remover, and in particular, a roller device forcleaning fabric.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,417,418, issued to Riboud on Dec. 24, 1968, outlines theuse of a tool for collecting dirt and dust that has a cylinder rotatablymounted on a handle and carries a plurality of layers of outwardlyadhesive spirally wound sheets. The edges of the outermost sheet can belocated when dirty by making a subjacent layer of a different color andleaving a gap between turns of the spiral of each layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,676, issued to Gallagher et al. on Feb. 24, 1976,outlines the use of long hairs of fur pelts known as guard hairs, whichare removed to reveal soft underfur by contacting the pelt with asubstrate coated with adhesive and then pulling the substrate away fromthe pelt. Recoverable or non-recoverable adhesive systems may also beused.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,616, issued to Kucera et al. on Mar. 1, 1988,outlines the use of a lint removal apparatus having a length of adhesivecoated tape wound upon a cylindrical core which is rotatably carried bya two-piece handle assembly. Each successive layer, or winding, ofadhesive tape is provided with a diagonally extending cut which extendspartially, but not completely, across the width of the winding for easyremoval.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,465, issued to McKay on Jul. 2, 1991, outlines theuse of a lint remover roller assembly having a pressure sensitiveadhesive tape roll with layers of adhesive tape with the adhesivesurface facing outwardly to remove lint and other foreign particles fromfabric surfaces over which it is rolled.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,303, issued to Rubino on Jul. 27, 1993, outlines theuse of a pet hair removal apparatus that includes a support handlehaving an angulated support frame rotatably mounted on an adhesive tube,which can be removed for replacement. A modification of the inventionincludes the handle formed with an applicator spray structure to directa fluid spray, such as flea spray, perfume and the like onto anassociated animal being groomed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,861, issued to Hukuba on Aug. 27, 1996, outlines theuse of a cleaning tool, which uses a disposable adhesive sheet, whereinthe adhesive sheet may be peeled and torn in a simple and easy mannerwithout causing the user annoyance or discomfort. The cleaning tool hasan adhering roller with an adhesive sheet wound in layers thereon and issupported rotatably about an axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,344, issued to Rosenkrantz on Sep. 10, 1996,outlines the use of a pick-up device that includes a support platformhaving a first side and a second side with an elongated handle connectedto the first side and a plurality of sheets of adhesive materialattached to the second side. The sheets are arranged in a sandwich typefashion, with an outwardly facing tacky adhesive surface and are adaptedto be exposed when a preceding outermost sheet is removed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,788, issued to Jaffri on Jan. 18, 2000, outlines theuse of a large micro-debris roller having one sided adhesive sheetsfacing outward and wound up on a rotatable core. The core is supportedby a symmetrical handle and each adhesive sheet is provided with anon-adhesive tab, which cooperates with perforations in the adhesivesheets, to make possible the simple disposal of the adhesive sheets.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,695, issued to McKay, Jr. on May 2, 2000, outlinesthe use of a lint roller assembly for rotatably supporting a tubular andcylindrical adhesive lint remover roller. The assembly includes a pairof elongated housing parts, which are identical to each other. Eachhousing part includes an elongated handle section and a semi-cylindricallint roller support longitudinally adjacent to the handle section.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,014, issued to McKay, Jr. on Oct. 3, 2000, outlinesthe use of an adhesive roller particularly suited for a lint rollerhaving an elongated strip with a backing layer and an adhesive layeroverlying one side of the backing strip. The strip is wound onto atubular cylindrical roll or onto a spindle. A plurality of perforationlines extend between the sides of the strip at predeterminedlongitudinal intervals therealong so that the perforations define aplurality of longitudinally adjacent sheets along the strip with eachsheet overlying one sheet and extending substantially one revolutionaround the roll.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,397, issued to Odagiri on Feb. 5, 2002, outlines theuse of a winding adhesive cleaner with a body equipped with a gearboxand an attachable cylinder equipped with a rolled strip of adhesivepaper. An adhesive face on the cleaner is continuously changed withoutremoving a dirtied face or suspending a cleaning operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,403, issued to McKay on Jun. 18, 2002, outlines theuse of a cleaning tool for cleaning a surface that has a core with alower surface and an upper surface. A first set of cleaning sheets isremovably supported on the lower surface in a stacked configuration.Each of the sheets includes a bibulous layer and a moisture barrierlayer. The moisture barrier layer prevents transport of liquid from onebibulous layer of one sheet to the bibulous layer of an adjacent sheet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,278, issued to McKay, Jr. on Aug. 6, 2002, outlinesthe use of a lint roller assembly having an elongated housing with ahandle and a lint roller support section longitudinally adjacent to thehandle. The lint roller support section is cylindrical in shape and hasa radially recessed and circumferentially extending channel formedbetween its ends. This channel has a longitudinal length less than thelongitudinal length of the lint roller support section.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,794, issued to Jaffri on Sep. 17, 2002, outlines theuse of a micro-debris roller having outwardly facing adhesive sheetswound up on a rotatable core. Each adhesive sheet includes ananti-bacterial or anti-allergen substance disposed on the outwardlyfacing surface of the sheets. Each adhesive sheet is further providedwith a non-adhesive tab, which cooperates with perforations formed inthe adhesive sheets to facilitate easy removal of contaminated sheets.

United Kingdom Patent Number 2,233,884, published on Jan. 23, 1991,outlines the use of cleaning equipment with a roll of adhesive tape forremoving dust and hair from clothing and carpets. The cleaning equipmenthas a handle mounted at one end of an elongated member, a reel rotatablymounted on a shaft for supporting the roll of adhesive tape and atake-up roller rotatably mounted on another shaft for taking up adhesivetape unwound from the roll, the roller being provided with a ratchetmechanism which prevents rotation of the roller in an undesireddirection of rotation.

German Patent No. 19,928,469, published on Dec. 12, 2000, outlines theuse of an adhesive roller, which has a handle section, the adhesiveroller having a curved surface with a concave profile. A conical form issuperimposed on the concave profile and the handle section is at leasttwice the length of the roller, which is made of foam.

Although there are many uses for disposable rollers that expose a tapeadhesive contact area, there is a need for a disposable roller that canprovide a disposable clean surface area and a pleasant fragrance orscent after each use. Such a disposable roller would be in big demand inthe marketplace for use by barbers and cosmetologists.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus,a scented roller to remove loose hairs solving the aforementionedproblems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The scented roller to remove loose hairs has a solid elongated handlewith a distal end and a proximal end that allows a user to comfortablygrasp the scented roller. There is also a connecting fork located at theproximal end of the solid elongated handle, a disposable roller that isremovably placed in the connecting fork, and a disposable roll ofadhesive tape. The disposable roll of adhesive tape has an exposedadhesive outer surface to collect and hold debris from an exposed dirtysurface or exposed skin. The exposed fresh adhesive outer surface canalso be peeled off and can be used for aromatherapy.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide ascented roller to remove loose hairs from the skin surface of a personwho has just had his or her hair cut.

It is another object of the invention to provide a scented roller toremove loose hairs that has a fresh scented surface after each use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a scented roller witha disposable hygienically fresh surface to remove loose hairs from aperson who has just had his or her hair cut, eyebrow trimmed, beardtrimmed or other cosmetology process.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a roller to remove loosehairs according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of the roller to remove loose hairs.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic section view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a scented roller 10 to remove loose hairs Hfrom the nape and neck area of a user or other skin surfaces, as shownin FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the scented roller 10 comprises a solid,elongated handle 20 with a distal end 22 and a proximal end 24, thatallows a user to comfortably grasp the scented roller 10. The scentedroller 10 further comprises a connecting fork 30 located at the proximalend 24 of the solid elongated handle 20 and a disposable roller 40 thatis removably placed horizontally in the connecting fork 30, with thedisposable roller 40 being rolled onto an exposed dirty surface or skinsurface with loose hairs or other debris. The scented roller 10 furthercomprises a disposable roll of adhesive tape 50 that is placed on thedisposable roller 40, the disposable roll of adhesive tape 50 having anexposed adhesive outer surface 52 to collect and hold debris from theexposed dirty surface or exposed skin surface. This is discussed ingreater detail in connection with FIG. 3, described below.

The scented roller 10 also has an aperture 60 on the distal end 22 ofthe handle 20 that can be used for hanging the roller 10. The roll ofadhesive tape 50 is scented with perfume, aftershave lotion, talc or anaromatherapy scent oil. The handle 20 of the scented roller 10 is madeof static-free hard rubber. The handle 20 is also ergonomically designedand shaped to fit comfortably in the hand of its user. The connectingfork 30 has flexible tines 32 with fitted apertures 34 that can bemanually manipulated to accommodate the ends 42 of the disposable roller40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the roll of adhesive tape 50 has a mild adhesivecoating the outer surface 52 of the tape 50 to facilitate removal ofhair and debris from a dirty exposed adhesive outer surface 52, theadhesive having sufficient strength that particles of hair and debrisadhere to the tape 50 while not adhering to or irritating the skin, andhas perforations 56 at spaced intervals over its entire length so thatthe used portion of tape is easily separated from the roll 50, wherebyfresh tape is exposed for the next use.

Use of the scented roller 10 is straightforward. The disposable roll ofadhesive tape 50 can be easily fitted onto the disposable roller 40 withthe assembly being inserted into the apertures 34 of the flexible tines32. Once an exposed adhesive outer surface 52 becomes so dirty that itmust be removed and replaced with an underneath exposed adhesive outersurface 54 that has perforations 56 for each layer of the exposedadhesive outer surface 52, this can easily be done by a user peeling offthe dirty exposed outer surface 52 and exposing the clean and freshunderneath exposed adhesive outer surface 54. The peeling off of thedirty exposed outer surface 52 also helps liberate the fragranceassociated with the scented roller 10.

It will be seen that the present scented roller 10 may be used by thebarber or cosmetologist in lieu of the traditional neck brush forremoving cut hair from the skin of a patron. This improves cleanliness,since the neck brush is used with multiple patrons, while the scentedroller 10 provides a clean surface for each patron. By providing theadhesive tape with a scent, the experience is made less unpleasant forthe patron.

It will be understood that the details of the roller assembly are notcritical and may vary within the scope of the claimed invention.Specifically, although both the roller 40 and the tape 50 have beendescribed as disposable, in practice the device may be furnished with areusable roller, while the tape 50 may be furnished wound on adisposable, tubular cardboard core so that the roller 40 may be removedfrom the fork 30 to slide the tape core over the roller, then replacingthe roller in the fork 30. Alternatively, both the tape and the rollermay be furnished as a disposable, replaceable unit. Further, althoughthe drawings show the roller 40 having pins extending from the ends ofthe roller 40 that are mounted in sockets or apertures 34 defined in thetines 32 of the fork 30, it is equally within the scope of the inventionto mount pins on the tines 32 of the fork 30 that are received insockets defined in the ends of the roller 40.

The scented roller 10 may be provided in miniature form for use in othercosmetology services, including, but not limited to, eyebrow tweezingand removal of facial hairs.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A scented roller to remove loose hairs from clothing and exposed skinsurfaces, comprising: a solid, elongated handle having a distal end anda proximal end; a connecting fork disposed at the proximal end of thehandle; a roller removably disposed in the fork; a roll of adhesive tapedisposed about the roller, the tape having an outer surface and anadhesive coating on the outer surface; and a scent incorporated into theadhesive tape; wherein the adhesive tape collects and holds debris froman exposed skin surface when the tape is rolled over the skin surfaceafter a hair cutting or removal procedure.
 2. The scented rolleraccording to claim 1, wherein the fragrance is a perfume.
 3. The scentedroller according to claim 1, wherein the fragrance is an aromatherapyelement.
 4. The scented roller according to claim 1, wherein the distalend of said handle has an aperture defined therein for hanging theroller.
 5. The scented roller according to claim 1, wherein said handleis made of static-free hard rubber.
 6. The scented roller according toclaim 1, wherein said handle has an ergonomic shape.
 7. The scentedroller according to claim 1, wherein said roller is disposable.
 8. Thescented roller according to claim 1, wherein said adhesive tape isperforated at spaced intervals throughout its length, whereby a usedportion of the tape is separated from the roll for disposal to leave anunused portion of said tape for use.
 9. The scented roller according toclaim 1, wherein said fork has flexible tines, whereby the tines areseparated for insertion of said roller.
 10. The scented roller accordingto claim 1, wherein the scent is an aftershave lotion.
 11. The scentedroller according to claim 1, wherein the scent comprises talc.